VnExpress Marathon: Upgraded runner standards, running on special route

VnExpress Marathon raises competition standards

The latest addition to the VnExpress Marathon, which will take place on April 20 at the Hoa Lac High-Tech Park (Hanoi), is that the standards for athletes have been raised, with the competition distances now being 21 km and 42 km. The 5 km and 10 km distances will no longer be present in this race.

According to the organizers' requirements, to participate in the playground, male athletes must have a record of under 4 hours (42 km) or under 2 hours (21 km), and female athletes must have a record of under 5 hours and 2 hours 30 minutes, respectively, to be eligible to participate.

"We want to bring different standards to the playground, and at the same time create a tournament format to serve the achievement aspect. Raising standards is the spearhead of this playground," said Mr. Pham Trong Nghiep, head of the tournament organizing committee.

Mr. Pham Trong Nghiep, Head of the Organizing Committee of VnExpress Marathon system

PHOTO: Organizing Committee

The course is designed to approach the major standard, with a flat asphalt surface, little slope, only 9 bends and a common turnaround point. The total elevation difference is about 100 m. The course has been measured and certified by the Vietnam Athletics Federation. In this tournament, the 42 km distance result can be used to register for the Abbott World Marathon Majors Wanda system, aiming for the 2026 world championship.

Explaining the reason for choosing the Hoa Lac High-Tech Park route (Hanoi), instead of running in the inner city as is traditional, the race organizers affirmed that the closed running route here and away from the center will help limit the impact on traffic.

"Sometimes, we also hear comments like 'scolding noodles, cursing porridge' when organizing marathons in the inner city. In this tournament, running in the suburbs on a closed route will ensure the safety of runners and not affect traffic flow," said Mr. Pham Trong Nghiep.

The entire course will be 100% locked, asphalt with many long straights, almost no slopes. The course has only 9 corners, only one wide U-turn for both 42km and 21km distances, the total elevation difference is about 100m up and 100m down, suitable for fierce racing.

Emphasize health issues

One of the issues raised by the athletes is the medical guarantee. Because the tournament takes place in early summer, with daytime temperatures reaching 35 to 38 degrees Celsius. The athletes start at 5 am and finish around 9 to 9:30 am. This is the time when the sun is high, leading to high temperatures and hot weather that can affect the health of the athletes.

The tournament launch press conference will take place on April 20 at Hoa Lac High-Tech Park (Hanoi).

PHOTO: Organizing Committee

According to Mr. Duong Hai Anh, the race director, the reason the organizers did not arrange the race time from 3am as usual is because "the time frame from 0am to 4am is when the humidity is high, which is very dangerous for the athletes".

Therefore, the 5-hour frame will be more reasonable to ensure health and running performance for athletes, both professional and semi-professional runners.

On the course, water stations are arranged every 1.8 km, increasing in density from km16 to km34 - the time when athletes are likely to "hit the wall". The water stations are 300 m long, arranged on the right side for the convenience of athletes running at high speed. In parallel, there are 10 medical stations, mobile medical vehicles, and ambulances on duty.

The tournament is supported by more than 900 logistics personnel (including more than 200 teams and more than 700 volunteers), along with a force of more than 200 doctors, nurses and police officers, ensuring safe and professional operations.

Race director Duong Hai Anh affirmed: "The VnExpress Marathon Organizing Committee pays special attention to medical issues. We ensure that all mobile medical stations have doctors, nurses... to monitor and assess the health status of runners. Any health problems that arise will be handled promptly. We have support stations located at distances where athletes can reach their energy conversion threshold, thereby providing nutritional measures, helping athletes gain more nutrients and cool down."

The total cash prize of the VnExpress Marathon Volvo All-Star is up to 700 million VND, the largest ever for a running tournament in Vietnam. The champion athlete receives 100 million VND, the next levels are 50, 40, 30 and 20 million VND. In addition, the organizing committee honored athletes according to 4 age groups, awarding trophies to the top 3 male/female in each group.

On April 19, the athletes received their race-kits at Tasco Mall (Long Bien). The official race day took place on April 20, with the 42 km distance starting at 5:00 a.m., and the 21 km distance starting at 5:30 a.m. The starting point was at the National Innovation Center (Hoa Lac), and the finish line was at the FPT Software headquarters.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/giai-vnexpress-marathon-nang-cap-tieu-chuan-runner-chay-o-cung-duong-dac-biet-185250415171632804.htm